1988 30hp outboard will not start!

vicman

vicman

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Nov 9, 2009
Messages
33
I recently bought a small fishing boat that my dad bought new in 88'. It was the boat he and I fished in when I was a kid. Anyway, he sold the boat and 20 years later I ran across the man who bought it and he sold it to me. I was amazed, it looked exactly like it did 20 years ago. Long story short, he said he cranked it and let it run on muffs about two years ago and it has'nt been cranked since. I cleaned it up and tried to crank it , but nothing. It turned over great (electric start), grounded each spark plug and had spark but the engine never even coughed. The spark plugs were oily, so it was getting some gas. That was as far as I got until it got dark. Does anyone have any advice as what to look for or anything else that should be looked at for a motor that has'nt been run for a couple of years? He never let is set outside, and it probably only has maybe 100 hours on it.
 
psteurer

psteurer

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Nov 10, 2008
Messages
366
Re: 1988 30hp outboard will not start!

You might want to get a spark tester to test the strength of the spark. Should jump 5/16 inch.

Are you using the correct start procedure? Pump up the bulb until firm. Are you pushing the key in to prime the engine? Do you hear a click coming from the engine when you push the key in? It would do what you are describing if you did not prime the engine prior to starting.

If the previous owner stored the engine with gas in the carburetors and fuel lines, you will probably need to rebuild the carburetor. The fuel lines may have degraded as well. You will see little pieces of black crude in the carburetor bowl if they have.

Also, you could check the compression. That motor should have well over 100 psi in both cylinders and the variation between the two cylinders should not be more than 10%.
 
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